I have to say, with no regret, that The United Methodist Church was where I once belonged and learned new ways to serve, and responded to God’s call to serve as a pastor. Then I was moved to leave the United Methodist Church, returning to the denominational home of my youth, the Episcopal Church.
I still rise to the defense of John and Charles Wesley, in an effort to maintain historical accuracy.
I still rise to the defense of John and Charles Wesley, in an effort to maintain historical accuracy.
Every once in a while a statement will be made by someone that claims the work of John Wesley was something other that what the historical record indicates.
Most often two statements are made, both of which seriously misrepresent what the John and Charles Wesley, and the “Methodist movement” was all about.
1) John Wesley “started Churches.”
2) John Wesley “left the Church of England to start his own Church.”
The diaries and conference minutes of the movement called Methodists records that the Wesley’s were in fact involved in a movement to form “societies for spreading scriptural holiness.” The supervision of lay preachers was performed by Priests of the Church of England. The admonition to commune often was an admonition to attend worship and Eucharist in the parish churches of the Church of England or another House of worship, not a call to Eucharist in the Methodist Meeting Houses.
John Wesley never left the priesthood of the Church of England.
He did recognize however, that the only way for Methodists living in the colonies of North American to be supervised and maintain a Christian fellowship following the revolutionary war was to provide an independent structure complete with priests and Bishops. (True, he took it upon himself to appoint "superintendents" and those men went on to establish a new line of Bishops. The quality of the Apostolic succession might very well be in jeopardy because of that. I am not one to judge that issue.)
Outside of the intimacy of my Lay Discernment Committee and individual face to face conversations I have made no big public pronouncements about the return to my Anglican Heritage. Eventually, I will share more, but maybe that will remain one of those posthumous discoveries now only place within the covers of my journals. Perhaps some great something or other descendent will find the story, long after I have gone on to join the saints in glory.
Today, I am eight days from the beginning of a course of study with I affectionately call finishing school, at Bloy House which really is called Anglican Studies.
So, now there are new questions to explore as I return to school, to undertake the Anglican Studies which will prepare me for priesthood in the Episcopal Church. I look forward to exploring many questions, some things publicly and some very privately. Will I remain influenced by the Wesleyan concerns? Will I be a "Wesleyan" Episcopal Priest (whatever that might actually mean)? Will the Holy Spirit open up new ways for me to understand God’s call for me to serve both parish and the world?
The BIG QUESTION is:
Where will God's Spirit call me to serve as the hands, feet, ears and mouth of Christ in the ever expanding Kingdom of God when I complete the course of study?
For now, I am filled with a sense of peace and hope as I anticipate the rigors of theological education. I have been privileged to share the support of a great many people and am unable to avoid the responsibility which also leaves me open to the scrutiny of family, friends, and my faith community.
I depend as always, on the prayers and support of good friends in Christ for this leg of the journey.
Barbara
**I attempted to jump the hoops of UMC ordination and learned that I was a star peg, trying to fit in a round hole. Too many points that seemed to protrude and irritate the gatekeepers along the way.
